Phil Sharp sets a new benchmark time for sailing between Land's End and John O'Groats

Jersey's Phil Sharp has officially set the record for non-stop sailing between Land's End and John O'Groats with a benchmark time of 3 days, 11 hours, 52 minutes and 15 seconds.

The 34-year-old, who is arguably best known for winning the prestigious Route du Rhum in 2006, set sail early on Friday.

He was accompanied by Sean Conway who completed his fourth Lands End to John O'Groats adventure, adding a sailing passage to previous end to end running and cycling successes and an incredible 134 day swim two years ago.

Alex Alley, the boat owner is a circumnavigtor who is looking to set a new round the world non stop record for 40 foot Class 40 yachts.

The trio passed the finish line at 8.47pm setting the inaugural reference time for sailing the 620 nautical miles from one end of Britain to the other.

They left Land’s End at 8.55am on Friday morning and enjoyed strong favourable winds until they reached the NE of Ireland. After that dying winds seriously affected the time they had hoped to set.

Sharp, 34, set up this Length of Britain challenge as a timely short spell of training for the solo Vendee Globe race round the world next year.